The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-03-17
A GOOD OMEN.

Terrible indeed was the fate which
menaced the passengers and crew OF the
wrecked ship Hilda.
Lila Drente, an orphan maiden, with
her widowed aunt, had taken passage
upon the Hilda for America, and her
pretty face and winning ways had won
warm place for her in all hearts.
She had brought on board a white
carrier pigeon, which had fiuttered
helplessly down at her feet the Year be-
fore, MANNED by shot from some un-
skillful sportsman.
A billet had been fastened under its
wing, but its contents were in a tongue
unfamiliar to those who perused it, and
it would have been thrown carelessly
away had it not been saved by Lila.
She had nursed the bird back to
health. and although eventually mean
ing to again put the billet in its place,
nnder its pinion, and send 1t forth into
the realms of space, she had not yet
schooled herself into parting with it.
An indulgent relative had procured
for Lila delicate chain of silver, so
that she could fasten it about one slep,
der leg, and thus keep the bird q par
Eal prisoner.
Lilla's courage and fortitude had
been the one bright spot ON board DUR
ing the terrible hours of suspense which
followed the fury of the storm which
had wrecked the staunch ship.
No murmur came from her lips, and
she refused to take more than just
enough to sustain life. saving that
those who had the work of pumping
and managing the MANNED vessel need
ed more than an idler like herself.
The sight of her gave the sailors
courage.
They felt that no craft would go
down with her on board.
The weary days passed without sign
of succor; and, hungry and cold, their
courage sank at last.
Lilla's cheeks were no longer like
rose. They riyalled her name. But her
ewes seemed to grow brighter and clear
er with each passing day.
One morning, with only piece of
biscuit between each man and staFya=
ton, Lila threw off the shyness which
had thus far kept her silent on the sub
ject. and said:
''Let us all kneei down and pray to-
gether There is a promise that when
two or three are gathered in Gods
name. their requests shall be granted.
We can surely say the Lords Prayer,
every one of MS"
Then Lila knelt down, her white
bird upon her shoulder, and her cheeks
gaining little of their natural color in
the elevation of the moment
They commenced with the first words
of that prayer-the most eloquent ami
comprehensive one in the whole world
and without one exception, the other
voices added their quota OF sound,
Those who had forgotten it, OF, it may
word by word.
1t was solemn and touching scene,
never to be forgotten by those who were
participants in it.
After they had risen from their knees
again, sudden cry broke from Lilla's
lips, and looking towards her. TO the
surprise OF all the cause was seen. The
pet pigeon had broken link of its de-
tanning chain, and had fiuttered OF into
the blue sky which arched above In q
seeming sunny moekery OF their desc
late state.
My bird has deserted me!' was
Lilla's pathetic cry. And tears. which
suffering had failed to call 10 her eyes,
filled them now"
Don't cry. little one. You've kept
up so far, and if you give way, there's
not a man of US but will blubber too.
Don't set us bad example now
With brave effort Lila controlled
herself. But she could not put the sor-
row for her bird out of her heart. She
kept thinking to herself.
Now / can never do my duty and
send the billet"
Strange that at such time she could
bear anything in her mind but her own
suffering! But SO it was. and it added
a keener pang to the loss of her pet.
But marvellous to relate, when the
MONDAY sun was glaring down upon
the famished group, white speek APP
peared in the sky. and coming nearer,
soon attracted attention. Then, in
few seconds it came tiuttering down,
with a coo of content. and alighted up
on Lilla's shoulder.
1t seemed to their wondering eyes
like a spirit.
1T is a good omen-' was whispered
around among them. God has not
forgotten usr'
And inspired by this thought the
sailors again turned their dim eyes
across the broad expaRse of waters to
see if any sign of life should appear in
sight.
Several hours went by, and then
dim spot appeared in the distance. 1t
grew more distinct and at last proved
to be brig bearing down towards
them.
o, that the man on the lookout
should see the signal raised by the dis
tressed crew. The suspense was sick
ening, but at last to certainty they
were observed, for the brig hove-to and
lowered her boats, which, manned by
competent crew, were soon propelled
towards them. They were reached af-
ter time, and were taken on board.
Now comes the wonderful part of our
story.
The man at the wheel was steering in
| an entirely opposite direction from the
one which would have brought his-ves-
sci to the relief of ths shipwrecked crew
when white bird flew against his face,
and huttered its wings in such a way
that the astonished sailor did not dare
to open his eyes while the assault con-
! tinned The captain witnessed the
singular occurrence, and being, like all
seafaring men, superstitious, he said;
1T strikes me that there is a mean-
| ing in this. We must change our
| course"
Owing to this the course of the brig
was changed. and by means of it many